Reverse-plating mechanism for knitting machines



March 13, H H HOLMES r AL REVERSE PLATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 13, 1934. HOLMES AL 1,950,405

REVERSE PLATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 13, 1934. H. H. HOLMES ET AL REVERSE PLATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 15, 1930 March 13, 1934. H. H. HOLMES ET AL 1,950,405v

REVERSE PLATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15,1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 17 16. fa; at? 4 1g?! 1'22 Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REVERSE-PLATING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES British company Application February 15, 1930, Serial No. 428,570 In Great Britain August 22, 1929 6 Claims.

This invention consists in improvements in or relating to knitting machines, and has for its object to provide an improvement in, or a modification of, the invention described in co-pending United States application No. 375,048, dated July 1, 1929.

In the prior U. 8'. application, Ser. No. 375,048, yarn-engaging devices or guides, specifically shown as sinkers and operating between adjacent needles, supplement reversing yarn-guides; and in the specific example described in the said prior application, each sinker in turn is so timed in its movement that, as it is retracted, its edge will be engaged by at least one of the threads, II and the latter will press and rub against the edge of the sinker so that the sinker imparts to the threads a relative, but controlled, movement positively to draw the lowermost thread in front of the uppermost one in the needle hook. According to the present invention, the improvement or modification consists in reverseplating mechanism comprising in combination yam-interchanging means for two or more yarns, and a bridge (for example, an edge of a sinker), close to the knitting point to engage the yarns at a position between the reversing means and the knitting point, characterized in that the bridge is arranged or actuated to press against the yarns sufliciently' firmly to prevent those portions of them that are situated between the bridge and the knitting point from changing their relative positions (e. g. by rolling one over the other) irrespective of any changes that may occur, or may be made by said interchanging means, in their relative positions on the other side of the bridge. Notably, it will be observed, the present invention distinguishes from the specific arrangement of the prior application Ser. No. 375,048 in that the yarn-engaging device close to the knitting point is simply a bridge to support yarn, and does not impart a relative movement' to the threads or yarns to draw, say, the lowermost thread or yarn in front of the uppermost.

Preferably, at the moment when a needle is taking the yarns, the bridge is situated, or is inserted, alongside the needle that is taking the yarns and between that needle and the next one in succession. Conveniently, the bridge is so disposedthat at least one of the yarns is deflected by it from a straight line joining the knitting point and the yam-feed points of the interchanging means. The yarn-feed points will be constituted by those surfaces from which the yarns leave the interchanging means as they pass to the knitting point.

In one form of the invention, there is a plurality of bridges, each movable towards and away from the needles in a direction transversely to the lengths thereof, and means is provided for moving each bridge in succession by means that is I so timed in its actuation that, at the moment during which a needle is taking the yarns, a bridge alongside or near to that needle will be brought to a position toengage momentarily all said yarns in such a manner as to deflect at least one of them from a straight line joining the knitting point and the yarn-feeding position on the interchanging means, and will be thereafter rapidly withdrawn.

It will be understood that a bridge need only be employed in conjunction with a needle at which reversal is to take place. Consequently, if in any particular machine it is not required to reverse on certain needles, there will be no need to provide a bridge to operate in conjunction with the needles at which reversal is not necessary. For instance, it is conceivable that a fine-gauge machine might be employed with patterning means where reversal would never be required at more than every alternate needle. In such a case, where the bridges are in the form of sinkers or their equivalent, such bridges, or bridge-sinkers, would only be required for every second needle. The same considerations may arise when the groups of needles at which reversal is not required contain more than two needles, and consequently, in reversing on pairs or groups of needles, the bridges, or sinkers acting as bridges will be, under such a system only necessary for co-operation with the last needles of each such pair or group thereof. It is generally found preferableyhowever, to provide a bridge for cooperation with each needle irrespective of such grouping as may occur and as explained in the foregoing.

By the present invention, the timing of the sinkers is improved so that this positive drawing of the lowermost thread is eliminated.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 illustrates, diagrammatically in plan, five successive needles arranged around the cylinder of a circular machine with the sinkers therefor;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the parts shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 7 show successive positions assumed between any one of the sinkers and the threads as the sinker is rapidly withdrawn at the time that the yarns are being taken by the needles; 1

Figures 8 to 14 illustrate respectively similar views to those shown in Figures 1 to 7, but with the difierence that in Figures 8 to 14 the use of three yarns, whose relative positions may from time to time be interchanged, is shown.

Fig. 15 is a more or less diagrammatic sectional elevation of a portion of a knitting machine employ ng the sinkers, needles, and reversing yarn guides of Figs. 1 to '7; the section line XV-XV on Fig. 16, shows the relation of this figure to Fig. 16.

Fig. 16 is a diagram in the form of a combined section of the machine of Fig. 15, its lower portion being about on the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15 and its upper portion being about on the line XVI-A-- XVIA thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows in both instances, the two portions being juxtaposed to illustrate approximately a possible relation of the various operating parts.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In Figure 1, the five needles in succession are numbered 1 to 5 respectivehnand the sinkers are lettered A to E. The relative feeding movement of the yarns past the needles is intended to be to the right of Figures 1 and 2, and the relative positions of the five sinkers, yarns and needles, are shown respectively in Figures 3 to '7. Also, Figures 3 to 7 may be taken as representative of the relative positions of any one needle, together with its sinker and the yarns, at'five successive intervals of time between the commencement of the downward loop-forming movement of the needle and approximately the finish of its downward movement.

It will be seen that two yarns 6 and '7 are, in this example, fed simultaneously to the needlehooks, and from time to time the relative positions of these yarns is to be changed to produce reverse-plating effects, and in the stitch that is illustrated as being made at the time, yarn 6 is ultimately to appear at the front of the fabric. In positions 1 and 2 of the needle movements, neither yarn is engaged with the sloping forward edge of the sinker, and the yarns engage that edge momentarily at position 3 only; that is to say, they engage sinker C illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. At the position of sinker C, both yarns are engaged with the sinker, and yarn '7 at least is deflected from the straight line joining the knitting point and the yarn-feeding point of the reversing guides, diagrammatically represented at 9 and 10, by which that yarn is directed to the needles. The guides 9 and 10 may, for example, be similar to guides 11 and 12 described in prior United States application Ser. No. 375,048. At sinker C the yarns are pressed sufiiciently firmly into contact with the sinker so that, irrespective of any change that may be made in their relative positions on the right of this sinker, the latter will act as a bridge to hold those portions of the yarns on the left of it in the relative positions in which they have been brought on to it. In other words, at sinker C, yarn 6 is shown in front of yarn 7, and this position will remain undisturbed on the left of the sinker, although, for the next needle, number 2, at which the yarns are to be taken, the relative positions of the two yarns may be changed by the reversing yarns to'bring yarn number 7 in front of yarn number 6. The sinker is timed to retain its contact with the yarns at this point whilst reversal of the yarn positions by the reversing guides is made, if required by the pattern. Before engagement between the yarns and the sinker ceases, as in Figure 6, the hook of the needle will have descended sufficient- 1y far to engage the threads sufi'lciently firmly to hold them irreversibly in their proper relative positions in the hook. This momentary engagement of the yarns by the sinkers occurs successively around the needle-cylinder, so that for each needle that is at any moment taking the yarns, a sinker between it and the reversing guides will, for a short portion of time, hold the 'yarns in relation to that needle against change of relative position whilst reversal is effected, if necessary, for the next needle; and immediately the needle in question has taken the yarns, the sinker will be moved out of engagement with the latter, and the next sinker will be brought into operation for the same purpose for the next needle in succession.

t is deemed unnecessary to illustrate or describe in greater detail the manner of timing the sinkers, because this may be obtained by existing sinker-cam mechanism which is adjusted to produce the required time relationship illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, for a clearer understanding of the timing, reference is made to Figures 15 and 16.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the sliding sinkers A, B, C, etc. of Figures 1 to 7 may be carried by an annular sinker ring placed outside the top of the cylinder 31 carrying the sliding latch needles 32, 1, 2, 3, etc. The sinker ring 30 and needle cylinder 31 may be stationary, the sinker cam ring 33 and cylinder cam ring 34 being rotary, or vice versa. The stitch cam of the cam cylinder appears at 35; the opposite faces of the race (containing butts 36) of the cam ring 33 act on the butts of the sinkers to reciprocate the latter. The reversing yarn guides 9 and 10, here having the form of bars, slide in ways in the block or casing 3'7, the guide 9 being thrust toward the needle circle by the falling of a cam 38 carried by a sliding rod 39; the latter is thrust downwardly by spring 40, and is shown in its lowest position in Figure 15; inter-connecting lever 41 moves guide 10 in opposition to guide 9. Bits 42a, 42b, 420, etc., placed around the axis of the knitting machine in the path 42 of the cammed shoe 43 on the lower end of the rod 39 at such places as the pattern may require, serves to raise the rod 39 and therewith the cam 38 to reverse the relative positions of the yarns 6 and 7 from those shown; the spring 44 for example, then acts on the lever 41 to slide the guide 9 away from the needle circle and thrust the guide 10 closer to the needle circle. So long as there is one of these bits underneath the shoe 43, the yarns remain reversed; wherever a bit is absent, the yarns 6 and, '7 occupy the relative positions illustrated. The bits 42a etc. may be permanently located at desired places before the machine is put in operation, or movable bits (say one per needle) may be employed, andprojected into and removed from operating position from time to time, say by or under the control of a pattern mechanism. This yarnguide-reversing-mechanism is of the type more completely illustrated and described in our copending application Serial No. 375,048 aforementioned, as will be apparent; for the three yarns of Figures 8 to 14, another yarn guide shown and described in that copending application may be employed; the present invention is not limited to any particular type of yarn guide however, as will be apparent. In Figure 16, the respective needles and sinkers are in about the same operating positions as the needles and sinkers bearing similar reference characters in Figures 1 to '7. The group of bits 42a, etc. is fixed with respect to the needle cylinder 31 and sinker ring 30, as will be apparent from the foregoing; that is to say, the group (as a group) is stationary if the needle cylinder and sinker ring are stationary, or rotate synchronously with the needle cylinder and sinker ring if the latter rotate. The relation between the individual bits on the one hand and the needles and sinkers on the other, that is to say, the relation between the times of yarn reversals on the one hand and the positions and movements of the individual needles and sinkers on the other, is apparent from Figure 16.

From this figure it will be observed that whenever the reversing yarn guides 9 and 10 are to be actuated to throw a former face yarn to the back and to bring the back yarn to the face 5 of the fabric, the yarn guides are actuated just after the yarns have become firmly seated on one of the bridge-sinkers as illustrated in Figure 5. Thus, the yarns having become firmly seated on sinker C, for example, the guides 9 and 10, may be shifted as indicated by the bit 420; this bit is just about to engage the cammed foot 43 to raise cam 38. The reversing action may take effect in needle 2, but can have no effect at needle 3 since the reversal of the yarns can proceed no farther back than sinker C. Again, bits 42a and 421), here acting together, affect reversal on two other needles.

It will be understood that Figures 15 and 16 are quite diagrammatic and are for explanatory purposes only, and the invention is not limited to the mechanisms illustrated except as appears hereafter in the claims. Various figures show much greater spacing between the needles and sinkers than is found in practice, as will be apparent.

It will, of course, be appreciated that whereas the use of only two yarns has been described above, more than two yarns may be employed for patterning by the interchange of relative plating positions of these yarns; and the expression reverse-plating mechanism is intended toapply to mechanism by which two or more than two yarns have their relative positions interchanged, from time to time, according to pattern requirements.

For instance, as shown in Figures 8 to 14, three yarns may be employed. The timing of the action of the bridges or sinkers in relation to the three yarns is similar to that above described in connection with two yarns. It will be noticed, however, that at sinker C, yarns 7 and 8 are both deflected from the normal straight-line feed of those yarns to the needle at the knitting point, but the yarn 8 is deflected more than the yarn '7.

It is again remarked that the invention includes the use of a member other than a sinker to act as a bridge for the yarns, for the purpose described.

We claim:

1. In a knitting machine, the combination with a bank of needles, yarn-guiding means to supply a plurality of yarns to the needles for knitting on individual needles simultaneously, means to move said bank of needles and. yarn guiding means relatively, one along the other, so that said yarn guiding means supplies yarn to the needles successively, and said yarn-guiding mean-s including means to interchange the positions of the yarns relatively to each other for reverse plating, of a bridge member operable at an interneedle space to engage one or more of said yarns to prevent interchange of yarn positions, by the yarn-interchanging operation of said yarn-guiding means, at the far side of said bridge from said yarn-guiding means, said means to interchange the yarn positions being operable to interchange the yarn positions after said one or more of the yarns has engaged said bridge and before the relative positions of the yarns adjacent the bridge has been fixed by engagement of a yarn or yarns against substantially the first needle at the side of the bridge nearer said yarn-v guiding means at the moment.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, characterized by the fact that there are a plurality of said bridges, operable individually at successive interneedle spaces, and said means to interchange the yarns being operable as said yarn guiding means passes beyond substantially each of said 115 bridges.

3. The subject matter of claim 1, characterized by the fact that the bridge engages all of said yarns.

4. The combination with the subject matter 120 of claim 1, of mean-s to move said bridge into and from yarn-engaging position.

5. The subject matter of claim 1, characterized by the fact that there are a plurality of bridges, constituting a bank of bridges fixed in 12-5 position with respect to the bank of needles, there being means to move the bridges successively into and from yarn-engaging position.

16. The subject matter of claim 1, characterized by the fact that there is a plurality of said 13 bridge members and each of said bridge members engages all said yarns.

HENRY HAROLD HOLMES. ROBERT HAROLD ROBINSON. 

